Chapter 3

By the time I'd finished clearing out my room, Layla's things were piled high outside.

I called a removal service. They were halfway through hauling everything away when Layla returned with my parents, her eyes swollen from crying.

"Evelyn, are you throwing me out?"

My mother looked displeased, her voice sharp.

"You've barely been home, and you're already throwing a fit? I'm the one who gave your room to Layla for her morning practice. If you have a problem, come to me. Why are you taking it out on her?"

Their favoritism couldn't have been more obvious. I'd only been away for a few years, yet Layla had already taken my place in their hearts.

My father gave Layla a comforting pat before turning to me with disappointment.

"Enough. You just came home and you've already turned the house upside down. Evelyn, is this what you've learned all these years? As long as your mother and I are alive, this is not your house to run."

He lifted his chin slightly and signaled the housekeeper.

"Keep a close eye on everything for tonight's party. Nothing can go wrong. I want every guest to see just how remarkable Layla is!"

At those words, Layla could no longer hide her smile.

Then they left to oversee the party preparations.

Watching them go, my chest tightened.

That evening, my parents invited nearly every major figure in the industry to boost Layla's standing. They personally introduced her to guest after guest.

Meanwhile, I stood forgotten at the edge of the room. Eventually, I found a quiet corner and sat down to drink alone.

Halfway through the party, Layla walked over with a glass of wine.

"Evelyn, we're family now. I hope we can get along."

Without waiting for me to answer, she drained her glass.

A second later, right in front of everyone, she clutched her throat and staggered back, her face twisting in pain.

"My... my voice..."

The room erupted in shock.

Layla's voice had suddenly become rough and hoarse, as though her vocal cords had been scraped raw.

My parents saw something was wrong and rushed over. The moment they heard Layla's voice, they panicked.

"What... what did you put in my drink?"

Layla turned to me with tears in her eyes and pointed an accusing finger.

Every eye in the room swung toward me. Then someone in the crowd gasped.

"Isn't she... that musical prodigy who's been making headlines overseas?"

The room immediately stirred, and everyone began looking me over.

Layla, my parents, and Ron all froze, staring at me in confusion.

I hadn't expected anyone there to recognize me. I took a breath and prepared to tell them the truth.

"Actually..."

"Evelyn!"

Before I could finish, Layla cut me off with a wail.

Clutching her throat, she burst into tears.

"I know you're jealous because I get to have my own concert, but you shouldn't have done something like this to me.

"Everyone in this family knows you were born without a musical bone in your body. How could you possibly be some musical prodigy?"

For a singer, a ruined voice could mean the end of her career.

The guests shook their heads. No matter what I said, no one believed me.

Worse, I happened to be standing in a camera blind spot, so there was no footage to prove my innocence.

My parents shoved me aside and rushed Layla to the hospital.

I lost my footing and slammed my lower back into the corner of a table. A sharp pain shot through me.

But the physical pain was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. If no one believed me, there was no reason for me to stay.